1955 Chevy Bel Air Sits In Garage For 43 Years

 

The 1955 Chevy Bel Air is a classic American car that was produced by Chevrolet in the 1950s. It was available in a range of body styles including a two-door coupe, four-door sedan, and convertible. The Bel Air was known for its stylish design and strong performance, and it has become a popular collector’s item.

The 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air was available with a range of engine options. The base engine was a 235 cubic inch inline-six, which produced 123 horsepower. This engine could be paired with either a manual or automatic transmission. Additionally, the Bel Air was available with a 265 cubic inch V8 engine, which produced 162 horsepower.

This engine was available with either a two-barrel or four-barrel carburetor, and it could be paired with either a manual or automatic transmission. Depending on the specific engine and transmission combination, the 1955 Bel Air would have had different performance characteristics.

The interior of the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air would have varied depending on the specific trim level and options chosen by the buyer. The base model Bel Air featured a cloth and vinyl interior, with a bench seat in the front and back. Higher trim levels, such as the Bel Air Sport Coupe, featured more luxurious interiors with leather or vinyl bucket seats and additional amenities such as power windows and air conditioning. The 1955 Bel Air also featured a number of design elements that were characteristic of the era, such as chrome trim and dashboard accents.

”I was driving by a house in Melville New York and noticed the rear portion of a 1955 Chevy. I drove up the drive way and asked the man if it was for sale he said yes. After 3 hours of negotiating, I bought this 1955 Chevy Belair 6 cylinder with only 71,000 miles.”

The car has been sitting in the garage since 1978! This is my first 55 Chevy and I am really excited!

”PS I said 45 years in video because John said he bought car in 1976 although it was 1978. It sat 43 years.”

Satisfying video from Youtube/Jerry “Metal Man” Battaglia below.

The 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT

 

The 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT was a high-performance variant of the popular Comet model produced by American automaker Mercury. The car was powered by a 390 cubic inch V8 engine producing 335 horsepower, and came equipped with a four-speed manual transmission and heavy-duty suspension.

The Comet Cyclone GT featured a sporty appearance with a unique grille, hood scoop, and racing stripes. It also had bucket seats, a center console, and a wood-rimmed steering wheel, making it a comfortable and stylish ride.

Despite its impressive performance and design, the Comet Cyclone GT was only produced for one year, making it a rare and sought-after collector’s item today. Its popularity has been further increased by its appearance in various films and TV shows.

Overall, the 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT remains an iconic American muscle car, beloved by collectors and enthusiasts alike for its powerful engine, distinctive styling, and place in automotive history.

1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 GT-E: The Rare Beauty with Factory 428 CJ Ram Air

 

Already the upscale cousin of the Mustang, the Cougar could ladle on the luxury even more via the XR-7 that included leather interior trim, a brace of gauges and toggle switches, walnut grain instrument panel, overhead console, emblems, special wheel covers, and more. For the ultimate sports car experience, however, the new-for-1968 GT-E delivered a 7.0-liter V-8 (427-cu.in.) with a dress-up kit, which was changed late in the model year to the 428 Cobra Jet. The GT-E also included a Select-Shift Merc-O-Matic transmission, “quadruple trumpet exhaust,” upgraded suspension, styled steel wheels with radial tires, and power-assisted steering and front disc brakes. Revised bodywork included new grille and taillight treatments, and a functional hood scoop with the 428.

According to its seller, this restored 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 GT-E is just one of 37 GT-Es with the 428 CJ Ram Air engine. He purchased it from a friend and just had to do some finishing work to it himself. He adds that it has date-code-correct block casting numbers, which you can see in the photos. The included Marti Report provides further verification of this car’s pedigree.

POWERTRAIN

The seller’s friend had the 340-hp 428-cu.in. Cobra Jet V-8 rebuilt and the Cougar sat undriven for 11 years before the seller purchased it from him. He adds, “Pump the gas twice and it starts right up and idles well, and has no leaks or weeps. No cardboard under this car!” The Select-Shift Merc-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission was recently rebuilt, a shift kit was added, and it “works fantastic,” he says. The 9-inch rear axle features 3.50:1 gears and Traction-Lok.

EXTERIOR

This GT-E left the Dearborn assembly line with an Augusta Green upper body and the requisite “silver-grey” lower body. The seller states that it was repainted 11 years ago, but stored inside all the time, when not in use, and he reports no swirls or blemishes. “Its body is factory correct, except for the lower part of the quarter panels, which have been replaced with reproduction repair panels.” He reports that the glass is good, the seals don’t leak, and the lighting works, including the sequential turn signals.

INTERIOR

“Brand-new authentic reproduction black leather” with vinyl trim interior, and a new carpet and headliner were installed, per the seller, who adds that all the interior lighting is present and operating. He also relays that the original AM radio works, as do the factory gauges and clock, except for the ammeter. The car also includes rare accessory headrests according to the seller.

CHASSIS

According to the seller, brand-new BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires are balanced “perfectly” on new styled-steel wheels, and the front end was aligned when they were installed, so he states the GT-E “drives straight.” Its shocks are reported to be new, its power-assisted steering doesn’t leak, and the Cougar “stops well.”

DOCUMENTATION

The seller states that this vehicle will be sold on a clean Michigan title in his name. Additional documentation includes the framed Marti Report. Performance and luxury are apparently personified in this rare, 428 Cobra Jet-powered 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 GT-E, which is “ready to go to a new home.”

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 Discovered in Trailer Park

 

Update 1/12/22 – This Chevelle has been relisted here on eBay with no reserve. Will it end up going for more than the seller’s original asking price?

From 12/9/21 – The 1970 model year was probably the peak of the mid-size muscle car movement. Though an optional package by then, the Chevelle SS 396 still saw the production of 50,000 units, and the detuning process for improved emissions wouldn’t start until 1971. This ’70 SS 396 had the same owner for 45 years before being acquired by the seller and hadn’t moved in some 20 years. It’s going to require a thorough restoration to bring this car back up to the way it was more than 50 years ago. Located in Conway, South Carolina, this Chevelle has been bid to $11,300 here on eBay and the reserve is unmet, but it can be taken home for $20,000 (Buy It Now).

In 1970, when you ordered a Chevelle Super Sport, you went for either the 396 or the new 454. The SS 396 option package came with a 350 hp 402 cubic-inch V8, power front disc brakes, F41 heavy-duty suspension package, wide lettered tires, and a hood with a large bulge in the center that could accommodate cowl induction, if also ordered. The seller’s car may have had it at some point. With induction, the 402 would be good for 375 horses. If original, the motor here would have been paired with a Muncie 4-speed manual transmission. A 12-bolt rear axle was standard with the SS cars.

This auto left the factory with Cortez Silver paint and a black vinyl top. Sometime in the 1980s, it received a color change and a repaint to what you see now. Time and exposure to the elements have not been kind to this Chevy, so it’s going to need a lot of sheet metal work, including the roof skin, rear quarter panels, fenders, and the trunk pan. The interior is far from complete and will need a thorough rebuild except for the console as this Chevelle was ordered without one.

 

We’re told the motor was rebuilt in 1994 and has seen just 13,000 miles since then (the current total mileage on the car is 222,000). The seller says the engine turns free, but obviously, the car won’t run in its current condition and will have to be towed just as you see in the seller’s photos. A 1970 SS 396 can fetch some serious coin when restored, but this one may have a cost of $20,000 just to have a blank canvas to work with. This won’t be a project for the fainthearted or those with a limited budget.

The Stunning 1958 Corvette Street Rod Steals The Show

 

The 1958 Corvette Street Rod was a standout at the 2013 SEMA show in Las Vegas. This one-of-a-kind car, built by Roadster Shop, turned heads with its sleek design and powerful performance.

The 1958 Corvette Street Rod began as a standard 1958 Corvette, but was completely transformed by Roadster Shop into a one-of-a-kind street rod. The body was modified to give it a more aggressive, modern look, with a lowered stance and widened fenders. The interior was also fully custom, with high-end finishes and state-of-the-art technology.

Under the hood, the 1958 Corvette Street Rod was equipped with a 6.2L LS3 V8 engine, producing a whopping 600 horsepower. This made it one of the most powerful cars at the SEMA show and gave it impressive acceleration and top speeds.

In addition to its impressive performance, the 1958 Corvette Street Rod also featured a number of unique design elements. The exterior was painted a vibrant shade of blue, with silver accents and custom wheels. The interior was upholstered in white leather, with blue accents and a custom dashboard.

Overall, the 1958 Corvette Street Rod was a hit at SEMA 2013, impressing attendees with its unique design and impressive performance. It’s no wonder that it has since become a highly sought after collector’s item.

 

Unveiling the Mysterious 1968 Chevrolet Corvette Barn Find, Concealed for Over 40 Years Since a Daring Police Chase

 When it comes to barn finds, most classic cars ended up in long-term storage simply because they crashed, they broke down, or their owners couldn't drive them anymore. Some, however, were parked for safekeeping. But this 1968 Chevrolet Corvette has an entirely different story to tell.

Because it was hidden in a barn after a police chase. It happened sometime in the late 1970s and the Corvette hasn't seen daylight until November 2022. Yup, it spent at least 43 years in hiding. And no, this story is not just an urban legend, but the tale of a teenager with Corvette fever and a heavy foot.

His name is Mike and he purchased the car in 1974 from a used car dealer. Living in a small community, he soon became known as "Big Block Mike," the guy who owned the coolest and meanest car around. Mike also liked to spin the rear tires of his Corvette quite often and, as a result, he needed to change the rubber often too.

One tire change didn't go as planned due to a sloppy mechanic and the left rear tire came loose while Mike was driving the car. The incident resulted in a crash and a ripped quarter panel.

Mike replaced the panel but because the insurance company wouldn't pay to have it repainted, he ended up with a red Corvette with a black quarter panel. Not surprisingly, it didn't take long for the Corvette to attract unwanted attention from the police.

For some reason, Mike decided to run away from the cops. He outran police vehicles twice but had to hide the car to avoid being arrested. He eventually repainted the quarter panel but he got hit by a Corvair during a quick run to the parts store and decided to park it for good.

Come 2022, and the Corvette finally came out of storage, mostly because the barn it was kept in was falling apart after decades of neglect. The car was moved to a safer building but it's unclear if it will be restored and put back on the road anytime soon.

But even so, it's still good news for a big-block Corvette from the golden era. Especially since it also has a cool story to tell.

I have no idea how original this Vette is, but third-generation 427-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) V8 cars are hard to find nowadays. That's because the said engine was only offered in 1968 and 1969. It was quite powerful, too, generating 390 to 435 horsepower depending on specs. Chevrolet also dropped a 427 V8 good for 460 horsepower in the Corvette ZL1 in 1969, but that's a different story for another time.

Meanwhile, watch this derelict sports car come out of storage after more than 40 years in the video below.

1967 Pontiac GTO Found in a Forest Hoping To Get a Second Chance

 A Pontiac GTO found in what appears to be a forest is hoping to get a second chance, though it’s pretty clear from the photos in the gallery that such a project is truly ambitious, to say the least.

This 1967 GTO clearly doesn’t come in a condition allowing for easy restoration, and it’s all because it has most likely been sitting for years in the same area full of vegetation.

There’s something rather surprising about this GTO.

Despite sitting for many years under the clear sky, it still sports an engine, though, on the other hand, we shouldn’t by any means expect it to be working.

However, the owner claims it’s a Tri-Power unit that’s also the “original engine” that came with the car.

In theory, an original Tri-Power on a project GTO is quite a find, but on the other hand, it’s worth knowing the 1967 model wasn’t available with such an engine. In fact, it was the first year when the GTO dropped the Tri-Power engine.

The base V8 was a 400 (6.5-liter) with 335 horsepower, but Pontiac also offered a more economical 2-barrel version with 255 horsepower. The top unit developed 360 horsepower.